We made it back to the big city. We are now in beautiful Kyoto. For our first day we decided to have David be our tour guide. He met us in the morning and we set off on our big adventure.
Crazy enough, we went to a Blue Bottle coffee shop first thing in the morning. Blue Bottle was born in the Bay Area and has gone international apparently. It was actually great and the food was delicious.
Then it was off to Nanzen-ji temple complex. One of the most famous Zen temples in all of Japan.
Lost in Translation was filmed here according to David.
Family temple time.
Looking cool in Kyoto.
Some of the gardens at the complex.
Deep conversation in the provided slippers.
Lovely.
Writing out specific prayers in Japanese.
We each chose one for ourselves.
Check out this aguaduct from 1890 outside the temple.
Aquaduct fun.
Are you impressed? This is an interesting combo of Western and Eastern construction techniques.
Now it was off to Kodai-ji temple to walk through this cool bamboo forest.
This is a lesser known bamboo forest so not so crowded.
There is a cow (oxen) statue at the temple that you are meant to rub to heal ailments on whatever body part and rub the head for wisdom.
Beautiful statue outside the temple.
Next door is Ryozen Kannon temple which has a GIANT bodhisattva in tribute of the unknown soldier in WWII. This was built in the 1950's after the war in honor of Japanese and foriegn soldiers who died in wars.
Off to Yasaka Shrine.
There are a lot of shrines and temples here!
Back streets of Gion where many of the Geisha women work and live.
David was a lot of fun and was also a great magician. We were highly entertained.
On our long walk home we stopped by our second Nintendo store.
Is there such a thing as too much Nintendo?
